Game apparatus or amusement device



July 17, 1923.

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Juy 17, 1923.

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BYl mgl/(m00 F. A'. PFEIFER ET AL GAME APPARATUS OR AMUSEMENT `.DEVICEJy l?, 1923.

' Filed April 1. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS;y Fra fRPfeifer at@ BYCa zig N dab, md @Wagga/s.

July 17, 1,923. 1.462.179

F. A. PFEIFER ET AL GAME APPARATUS -oR AMUSEMENT ISEVIGE Filed April l.`1921' 5 Sheets-She'et 4 'Franz RP ez, y7' a B C arZes Naab,

ATTORNEYS.

July 17, 1923. s 1,462,179

v H A. PFEIFER ET Al.

GAME APPARATUS OR AMUSEMENT DEVlCE Filed April 1. 1921 f5 sheets-sheet 5ATTORNEYS.

Patented duly 17, 1923.

* rra sr FRANK-A. PFEIFER AND CHARLES NAAB, OE NEWARK, NEW JERSEYgYSAIDNAABMS- SIGNOR T THOMAS MILLS, OF TIIAPLEWDD, NEW JERSEY.

GAME APPARATUS 0R AMSEMENT DEVICE.

Application led April 1,

To all whom z'z may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK A.. Prnrrnn and CHARLES NAAB, citizens of theUnited States, residing at Newark, in the county oic Essex and State ofNew Jersey, have' in vented certain new and useful improvements in GameApparatus or Amusement Devices; and we do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art tol which it appertains to makeand use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, andto characters o' reference marked thereon, which Jtorni a part of thisspecification.

This invention has reference, to improvements in amusement devices, and,the present invention relates, more particularly, to a novel `andsimply-constructed amusement device, representing in miniature arollercoaster, and which is adapted for use, more especially, as agame-apparatus.

The present invention has for its'principal objects to provide a noveland simply constructed amusement device, adapted asa gaine, the gamewhen played affording both pleasure and amusement to the players.

Other objects of the present invention not at this timeV moreparticularly enumerated will be clearly understood from the followingdetailed ldescription of the present invention.L

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a side elevation of a gameapparatus oramusement-device, showing one embodiment of the principles of thepresent invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional representa- -tion of certain portionsof the device, said section being taken on line 3 3 in said Figure 2,and said view being madeon a slightly enlarged scale; and Figure 4 is adetail vertical sectional representation, taken transversely on line 4 4in said Figure2, said view being made ona still larger scale.

Figure 5 is a plan or top view ot a magnetic `toy life-buoy used withthe device; and Figure 6 is a transverse vertical sectionalrepresentation of the same, said view showing` in elevation, atoy-ligure attracted by the magnet of said buoy.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal vertical section of a tank adapted to containwater, showing i921. seria No. 457,760@

in connection therewith, the use of said magnetic life-buoy, for liftingor raisingy ya toy. igure above the surface of the water in said tank.

Similar characters oity reference are em'- ployed in the said abovedescribed views, to

indicate corresponding'parts Referring now to the several ligures of thedrawings, the reference-character 1 indicatesA a suitably shaped base ortable, which is mounted upon asuitably constructed framework 2. As shownmore particularly in liigures 1 and 2 of' the drawings, two inclines, as3 and 4,y are suitably mounted upon vsaid base or table 1, each inclineconsistingof the base-piece 5, suitably secured to the or table 1, andat one side oia the top'ot thev table, is a suitably shaped tank 11,adapted to contain water, and extending beyond the said edge of the saidtable, and located at the other side of the top of the table is anextension, as 12. Suitably Asecured to said extension are theend-portions of a pair of carrier-rails or tracks 13, whichextendin anupward direction up the incline 3, being suitably secured to thetie-bars or elements 9, the rails or tracks then being curved, as at 14,and descending,` as at 15, down the in` eline 4, being suitably lsecuredtothe tiebars or elements 9 of said plane 4, and yterminating, as at 16,directly above the previously mentioned tank 11, as will be seen from aninspection of Figurey 2 of the drawings. As shown more particularly inFigloo ure 3 olf the drawings, the'base or table 1 is provided withopenings 18 and`19, and located directly beneath the opening18 is asprocket-wheel 20, mounted upon av shaft or axle 21, which is rotatablydisposed and eX- tends laterally beneath the base or table 1,substantially as indicated in Figure 2 of the drawings. At its one end,the said shaft 21 is provided with a drive-pulley or wheel`r as 22, orother suitable means for the applicaiiio tion of a motive power, fordriving said shaft, as will be evident.

In alinement with said sprocket-wheel 2() is a second sprocket-wheel 23,said sprocketwheel 23 being mounted upon a shaft 24 which rotates inbearings connected with standards or posts, as 25. Mounted over saidsprocket-wheels 2O and 23 is a sprocket or link-chain 26, with a portionof which is suitably connected, in any desired manner, an upwardlyextending push-lug or doo' 2?, the lower portion 28 of which is insertedbetween the links of the chain 26, substantially as shown in Figure 4 ofthe drawings, and the lug or dog 27 being maintained in its uprightposition by means of a bracing member, as 29. The relation of aiiixingsaid push-lug or dog 27 to the chain 26 is such that it will travel withthe chain over the sprocket-'wheel 23, moving in a direction beneath thetie-bars or elements 9, without displacement from the chain, andpassingover the sprocket-wheel 2O will again assume its upright relation withthe upwardly traveling portion of the chain, as will be understood.

Movably disposed upon the previously mentioned rails or tracks, butbeing adapted to be lifted therefrom, are the flanged wheels 3l of atoy-car or gondola, as 30, which is formed at its rear end with anextension 32 with which the push-lug or dog 27 is adapted to be broughtinto op* erative engagement, as shown in Figures l and 3 of thedrawings, and for the purposes of pushing the car up the incline 3, aswill be clearly understood.

Referring now once more to Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be seen,that within the tank l1, there may be disposed a suitably formedcurrent-agitator, 33, which may be made in the form of a paddle-wheel,or otherwise, the said paddle-wheel in this case being mounted upon ashaft 34 which eX- tends through the side of the tank ll, and has apulley-wheel 35 upon its free endportion. The previously mentioned shaft2l is also provided with a pulley-wheel 3G, a belt 3T passing over saidwheel 36 for driving the pulleywheel 35 and rotating the shaft 34 andpaddle-wheel y33. Suitably clamped over the edge of the tank il, bymeans of a hook-shaped member 39, is a supporting post 38 which carriesa small platform 40, usually surrounded by a railing 4l. Mounted uponthis platform 40 is a toyfigure 42, usually a doll, to the hands ofwhich may be affixed and passed over one of its shoulders, a flexibleconnection or cord, as 43, said connection being passed through guidingelements or eyes, as 44, extending from the side of the tank 1l, andhaving its free end-portion 45 attached to a pin 4G, connected with theshaft 2l., but eccentrical with relation to the rotation of said shaftand whereby the said toy-figure or doll 42 will receive an oscillatorymovement, which causes the end-portion 47 of the flexible connection orcord 43 to be alternately raised and lowered, as will be evident.Attached to the said end-portion 4i' of the flexible connection or cordis the previously mentioned toy life-buoy, the latter being indicated bythe reference-character 4S. The said lifebuoy, as will be seen from aninspection of Figures 5 and G of the drawings, consists essentially of aring-shaped envelope or body 49 provided with a padding 50. Suitablysecured within said envelope 49 is a ring-shape magnet 5l, which is cutaway, as at 52, to provide the usual poles of the niagnet, and themarginal edge-portion 53 of said magnet projecting from said envelopeand extending into the open portion 54 of the life-buoy, substantiallyas shown in said Figures 5 and 6, and for the purposes to be presentlymore fully set forth.

Adapted to be placed within the body of the previously mentioned car 30,are a number of toy-figures or dolls, as 55, the said dolls being hollowand being made of a light material, such as celluloid, so that each dollwhen placed in water will oat. In order that the dolls will float intheir upright positions in the body of water, in the manner representedin Figure 7 of the drawings, the lower part of the body of each doll isprovided with a weight, as 56, and the upper portion or head of eachdoll is provided with a small piece of metal 57, usually a piece of wirein the form of a loop, forming part of an ornamental cap-portion 58 ofthe doll.

Having in the foregoing description set forth the general arrangementsand constructions of the several devices and parts comprising agan'ie-apparatus or amusement device embodying the principles of thepres` ent invention, we will now briefly set forth the manner of theoperation of the several devices and parts of the same.

After having filled the tank ll with water to a proper height, by meansof a prime mover, the pulley-wheel 22 is set in motion. This will causethe shaft 2l to revolve, thus producing a movement of the link-chain 26in the direction of the arrows, as indicated in Figure 3 of thedrawings. Simultaneouslv the eccentrically disposed pin 46 and theflexible connection 43 cause the toy-figure or doll 42 to receive aslight reciprocatory motion, back and forth, whereby the toybuoy 48 iscorrespondingly moved in up and downward directions, so that the doll 42will appear to be raising and lowering` the life-buoy, as will beevident. At the same time, the paddle-wheel 33 is also actuated, therotary action of said wheel causing a current or circulation of thewater toward the said buoy 48, and the dolls 55 deposited in the Water,in the manner'presently set forth, will iioat toward the said lite-buoy.

The operatornow places in the car 30 a number of dolls 55, the number ofsaid dolls varying according to the number of players, said dolls beingalso dii'i' rently numbered or colored so as to distinguish one from theother, and the said car is placed upon the carrier-rails or tracks 13 ofthe incline 3, in such a position, that the moving push-log or dog 27 isbrought into engagement With the extension 32 oi' the car 30. The latteris thereupon forced up said incline 3, until it reaches the curve 14,over which the car passes and reaches the plane 4. linmedi ately, thecar, due to gravity, passes down the rails 15, and upon reaching theends 16 ot said rails, plunges into theivater contained in the tank 11.is the car sinks to the bottom of the tank, the dolls 55 are displacedfrom the car-body, andgfloat upon the surface of the Water, and due tothe current produced by the paddle-Wheel 33, iioat in an .irregularmanner toward thelite-buoy 48. The first doll floated beneath said buoyis at once attracted by the magnet, and is Withdrawn in suspendedrelation above the surface of the Water, as indicated in Figure 7 ot thedrawings.

According to the number or color oit theV doll thus having been removedfrom Ithe Water, the personwho selected thisdoll is declared the Winner.

From the foregoing be seen, that a simple game-apparatus or amusementdevice has been produced, Which is interesting and Which` will aordamusement tol grown upfpersons, as Well as to children. i i j Ot course,We are aivare,that our vinvention is capable ot' changes in the generalarrangements and combinations Vot' the various devices and parts, asWell asin the details of the construction of the said parts, with outdeparting from the scope of the present invention as set :torthin theforegoing specfication and a's deiined in the clauses oiE the claimswhich are appended thereto. Hence, We do not limit our present inventionto` the exact arrangementsand combinations ot the various devices andparts as described in the said speciiication, nordo We confine ourselvesto the exact details otjthe construction ot 'the said parts, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings'. f`

i/Ve claim: f 1. in a game-apparatus or amusement de- `vice, incombination with a tank adapted to contain Water, a track located ousaid tank, said track having an end-portion terminating above the levelof the Water in said tank. and 'the car adapted to be placed upon saidtrack, and adapted to be plunged lron'i the end-portion of the track'into and beneath the surface ot the Water in said description, it willtside ot tank, saidcar being adapted to'receivefioatable toy-figures,`and means connected Withy said tank tor the Withdrawal of a toy-ligurefrom the Water in said tank.

2. In a game-apparatus or amusement de-y vice, in combination With'atank adapted to contain Water, a track located outsidekoi said tank,saidv track having' an end-poition terminating above the level oftheivater in said tank, anda 4car adapted to Vbe placed upon saidytrack, and adapted to' be plunged from the end-portion ot the track intoand beneath the surfaceA of the Water inV said tank, said car beingadapted to receive iioatable toy-figures, `a toy-iigure outside ot andmovable With relation to the tank, means for producing movements oi saidlastinentioned toy-iigure, and a magnetic means oit' attraction carriedby said last-mentioned toy-figure for the capture oil one oi said `beplunged into the Water insaid tanlnvand means connected with said tankfor the Withdrawal oi a toy-gure from the Water in saidtank. ,i

d. A game-apparatus .or `amusement de'- vice, comprising a pair ofinclined planes,

a track extending up one of said planes and down the'other plane, a tankadapted ,to contain Water adjacent to the end of the descending track, acar adapted to'be placed upon saidtra'ck. saidv car being adapted toreceive iioatable toy-figures, means toi' prol pelliiig said car in anupivard direction upon one of said inclined planes, said car passing bygravity down the other plane to be plunged into the Water in said tank,and a magnetic means or' attraction in the` torni of a life-buoyconnected with said tank for attraction of a toy-ligure and Withdrawaloi the same 'from the Water. f K y 5. A game-apparatus or amusementdevice, comprising a pair oiv inclined planes, a track extending` up oneoit said planes and down the 'other plane, a tank adapted to containWater adjacent to the end ot the de 'scending track, a4 cai" adapted tobe placed upon-'said tracinsaid car being adapted to receive i'ioatabietoy-figures, means Yor propelling said car in aiiupivard direction uponone of said inclined planes, said car passing i by gravity down theother plane to be plunged into the Water `in saidtank, means foragitatingithe bodyof Water Vin sai'dtank, and

means connected with said tank tor the Withdrawal oi a toydigure fromthe Water in said tank.

6. A game-apparatus or amusement device, comprising a pair ot inclinedplanes, a track extending` up one ot said planes and down the otherIplane, a tank adapted to contain water adjacent to the end ot thedescending track, a car adapted to be placed upon said track, said carbeing adapted rto receive tloatable toy-iigures, means tor propeilingsaidv car in an upward direction upon one ot said inclined planes, saidcar passing by gravity down the other plane to be plunged into the Waterin said tank, means for agitating the body ot Water in said tank,and amagnetic means oi attraction in the form ot a lite-buoy connected withsaid tank Jor aitraction of a toy-figure and Withdrawal ot the same:trom the Water.

7. il.. game-apparatus orA amusement cevice, comprising` a pair otinclined planes, a track extending up one ot said planes and down theother plane, a tank adapted to contain water adjacent to the end ot tbede` scending track, a car adapted to he blaced upon said track, said carbeing' ailapted to receive iioatable toy-ngures, means roi' propelline;said car in an upward direction upon one of said inclined planes. saidcar pa ssingr by gravity down the other plane to be plunged into theWater in said tank. a plat form connected with said tank` said plat lormprojecting above the suriace ot the '\vater, a movable toy-doll mountedupon said platform, and means carried by said toydoll for Withdrawal ota toy-figure 'from the Water in said tank.

A game-apparatus or amusement device, comprising a pair of inclinedplanes, a track extending up one oity said planes and down the otherplane, a tank adapted to contain Water adjacent to the end ot thedescendinfr track. a car adapted to be placed upon said track, said carbeing adapted to receive lioatable toy-figures, means for propelling'said car in an upward direction upon one of said inclined planes. saidcar passing by gravity down the other plane to be plunged into the Waterin said tank. a platform connected with said tank, platiorm projecting'above the surface et the Water, a movable toy-doll mounted upon Saidplatform, and a magnetic means oi' traction in the iioriny ot alite-buoy carried by said toy-doll 'for Withdrawal ot a toyigure fromthe Water in the tank.

9. .il game-apparatus or amusement device` comprising pair ot inclinedplanes, a track extending up one-cit said planes and down the otherplane, a tank adapted to contain Water adjacent to the end oit thedescending track. a car adapted to be placed upon said track, sa'd carbeing adapted tc receive iioatable toy-igures, means tor propeiling saidcar in an upward direction upon one ot said'inclined planes, said carpassing by gravity down the other plane to be plunged into the Water insaid tank, a platform connected with said tank, said plat- Jiorrnprojecting' above the surface ot the Water, a movable toy-doll mountedupon said platform, means tor agitating the bodyof water in saidtank,and means carried by said toy-doll for Withdrawal of a toy-ligure tromthe Water in said tank.

l0. gaine-apparatus or amusement device, comprising a pair oit inclinedplanes, a track extending up one ot said planes and down the otherplane, a tank adapted to contain water adjacent to the end of the descending track, a car adapted to be placed upon said track, said carbeing adapted to receive iioatable toy-figures, means 'lor propellingsaid carin an upward direction upon one of said inclined planes, saidcar passing by gravity ydown the otherr plane to be plunged into thewater insaid tank, a platform connected with said tank, said platprojecting above the sui-tace oi? tbc Water, a movable toyedoll mountedupon said platform, means for agitating the body ot Wa ter in said tank,and a ma netic means oit attraction in the itoriu ot a lie-buoy cai riedby id toyedoll tor withdrawal ot a toy-ligure i'rom the Water in thetank.

ll. i gamefapparatus or amusement device, comgrisingA a pair of inclinedplanes, a track extending up one of said planes and down the otherplane, a tank adapted to contain Water adjacent to the end of thedcscending track, a car adapted to be placed upon said track, said carbeing' adapted to receive lioatable dolls, a pair ot sprocket- Wheelsand a link-chain passing over and about said `sprocket-Wheels, means:tor actuating the same, a dog carried by said chain for engagement withthe car to push the same in an' upward direction upon one ot saidinclined planes, said car passing by gray/'ity down the other plane tobe plunged into the Water in said tank, and: means connected with saidtank lor Withdrawal oi one of said tloatable dolls trom the Water insaid tank.

12. A game-apparatus' or amusement device, comprising a pair ot inclinedplanes, a track extending up one ott said planes and down the otherplane, a tank adapted to contain Water adjacent to the end ot the de-'scending track, a car adapted to be placed upon said track, said carbeing adapted to receive tloatable dolls, a pair ot sprocket- Wheels anda link-chain passing over and about said sprocket-Wheels, means toractuating the same, ay dog carried by said chain for engagement with thecar to push the same in an upward direction upon one oi said inclinedplanes, said car passing by gravity down the other plane to be plungedinto the water in said tank, and a magnetic a track extending up one ofsaid planes and vdown the other plane, a tank adapted toL contain Wateradjacent to the end ot' the descendingv track, al car adapted to beplacedy upon said track, said car being adapted to receive iioatabledolls, a pair'oin sprocketwheels and a link-chain passing over and aboutsaid sprocketwheels, means for actus ating the saine, a dog carried bysaid chain for engagement with the car toy push the` same in an upward`direction upon one of said inclined planes, said car passingk bygravity down the other plane to be plunged into the water in said tank,means for agitating the body of the Water in said tank, and meansconnected with said tank for with` drawal of one of said ioatable dolls:from the water in said tank.

14. A game-apparatus or amusement de vice, comprising a pair of inclinedplanes, a track extending up one of said planes and down the otherplane, a tank adapted to contain water adj acentto the end of thedescends ing track, a car adapted to be placed upon said track, said carbeing adapted to receive tioatable dolls, a pair or' sprocketswheels anda link-chain passing over and about saidsprocket-wheels, means foractuating lthe same, a dog carried by said chainv tor engagement withthe car to push the same in' an' upward direction uponA one of saidinclined planes, said car passing by gravity down the other plane to beplunged into the Water in said tank, means for agitating the body of theWater in said tank, and a magnetic means of attraction in the torni of alife-buoy connected with said tank Jfor attraction of one of saidfloatable dolls from the Water in said tank.

l5. A. game-apparatus or vamusement device, comprising a pair ofinclinedv planes, a track-extending up one of said planes and down theother plane, a tank adapted to contain water adjacent to the end of thede-v scending track, a car adapted to be placed upon said track, saidcar being adapted to receive l'loatable dolls, a pair ont sprocket--wheels and a link-chain passing over and about said sprocket-Wheels,means for actuating the same, a dog carried by said chain for engagementwith the car to push the same in an upward direction upon one of saidinclined planes, said car passing by gravity down the other plane to beplunged into the water in said tank, a platform connected With saidtank, said platform projecting above the surface of the Water, movabletoy-doll mounted upon said platform, andmeans carriedby saidlast-mentioned toy-doll for withdrawal ofa iloatable doll from water insaidtank. i

v16. A game-apparatus or amusement device,pcom'prising a pair ofinclined'planes, ajtrackextending up one of said planes and down thevother plane, atank adapted to contain 'water adjacenty to the end ofthe descending track, a `car adaptedto lbe placed upon' said track, saidcar being adapted to receive iio-atable dolls, a pairv otsprocket`wheels and a link-chain passing over and about said .sprocket-wheels,meansv for actuating the sanie,a dog carried by said chain forengagement withthe car to push the ysame in an upward direction upon oneo lsaid inclined planes, said car `passing Aby ygravity down the otherplane -to be plunged into the water said tank, a platform connected withsaid tank, said platform projecting above the surface of the water, af

movabletoy-doll mounted upon said platform and a magnetic means ofattraction yin the orm of a life-buoy carried by said lastc mentionedltoy-doll for Withdrawal of one of said iioatabledolls from the water inthe tank.

l?. game-apparatus or amusement device, Vcomprising a pair of inc-linedplanes, a track extending up one of said planes and down the otherplane,a tank adapted to contain water adjacent to the end yof thedescending track, va car adapted to be placed upon said track, said carbeing adapted to re;

ceive iioatable dolls, a pair of sprocket lwheels and a link-chainpassing over and about said sprocket-wheels, means for actuating thesame, la dog carried by said chain for engagementy with the car to pushvthe same in an upward direction upon one of said inclined planes, saidcar passing by gravity down the' other plane to be plunged into thewater vin said tank, a platform connected with said tank, said platformprojecting above thel surface of the water, a movable toy-doll mountedupon said platform, means for agitating thebody of water in said tank,and means carried by said last-mentioned `toy-doll for withdrawal of avioatable doll fromthe water in Said tank.

.18. A game-apparatus or amusement device, comprising a pair of inclinedplanes, a tank extending up one of said planes and down'the other plane,a tank adapted to contain water vadjacent to the end of the descendingtrack, a car adaptedy to be placed upon said track, said car beingadapted to receive floatable dolls, a pair of sprocketwheels and alink-chain passing over and about said sprocketswheels, meansformactuating thesame, a dog carried by said chainl for engagement withlthe car to push the same in` an upward direction upon one of saidinclinedplanes, saidvkcar passing by gravity downthe other plane to beplunged into the Water in said tank, aplatform confV nected With saidtank, said platform projectI- ing above the surface of the Water, amov-` able tof-doll mounted upon said platform, means for agitating thebody of Water in said tank, and a magnetic means of attraction intheoform of a life-buoy connected with said tank for attraction of oneof said ioatabie dolls from thewvater in said tank.

i9. En a game-apparatus or amusement device, in combination with a tankadapted to contain Water, a platform mounted upon said tank, saidplatform projecting` above the water in said tank, a toy-doll movablymonnted upon said platform, means for moving said doll, and a magneticmeans of attraction carried by said doll, consisting of a circularenvelope provided with a centrally disposed yopen portion, and aring-shaped magnet within said envelope, said magnet having a marginalportion extending' from. said envelope and proj ecting into saidcentrally disposed open portion of the envelope.

20. ln a game-apparatus or amusement denection between said pin and saiddoll for actuating the saine, and a magnetic means of attraction carriedby said doll, consisting of a circular envelope provided with acentrally disposed open portion7 and a ring-shaped magnet Within saidenvelope, said magnet 'having a marginal portion extending from saidenvelope and projecting intosaid centrally disposed open portion of theenvelope.

ln testimoni, that We claim the invention set forth above We havehereunto set our hand thiel 6th day of March, 1921.

FRANK A. PFEIFER. CHARLES NAAB. Witnesses FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL,

EVA E. DESCH.

